WASHINGTON (AP) - The D.C. Court of Appeals has ruled that the former executive director of public radio station WAMU-FM can pursue a defamation claim stemming from her firing.

Susan Clampitt was fired from the station in 2003. She filed suit against American University, which owns and operates WAMU-FM, and its then-president, Benjamin Ladner. She sought damages for breach of contract, interference with contract, defamation and other claims.

A D.C. Superior Court judge dismissed the claim. An appellate panel ruled Sept. 25 that Clampitt may take the case forward on the defamation claim.

Ladner was quoted in a news story as saying the factors leading to the firing included a pattern of budget deficits. Clampitt says the university approved her financial recommendations.

An American University spokeswoman says the university is reviewing the rulingand will not comment on pending litigation.